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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Road Trip Dining

Last year Jon and I took two road trips, one in August and another in December. Our first road trip started the same day I ran in the McKinney Historical Run. My husband, his sister, Rachel, and I all decided to take a spontaneous road trip to Albuquerque, NM. Our objective was to spend some time with Jon's family before they left the country for 9 months. Our road trip was a success!!

Even though the road trip was a success it was extremely difficult to stay on plan with Weight Watchers. Worst of all I was eating so that I could drive and would not fall alseep. Rachel and I found that our weakness was Twizzlers! We went through a huge package of twizzlers fast than we should have.

I was so excited today when my Weight Watchers leader, Amanda, emailed me this article about road trips. I hope that you are able to plan ahead and not only have fun on vacation this summer, but that you will continue to eat healthy at the same time!

Road Trip Dining Article By: Janis Jibrin, R.D.

Don't let fast-food joints and minimarts knock you off track on your next road trip.

Picture this: You're driving on a dark highway somewhere between the Grand Canyon and St. Louis, watching sign after sign for fast-food go by. You're starving and tired, and that's a dangerous time to pull over and try to resist a Big Mac.

With a little careful planning, however, you can eat smart on the road and not succumb to temptation.

At the Road StopMost stops offer the typical fast-food options: burgers, fried chicken, maybe Mexican. If you're lucky, you'll happen upon a diner or a fast food chain that offers a wider range of foods. No matter where you end up, here's a basic rule of thumb: Keep portion sizes, unhealthy fats and sugar levels in check.

These guidelines not only help keep your weight loss on track, but they'll also make for a safer trip. Eating large meals on the road may leave you sluggish, even groggy—not exactly how you want to feel behind the wheel. A lighter, well-balanced meal is the ideal mix for staying alert at the wheel.

Here are a few food-specific tips to help keep you on track:BurgersStick with a plain, small burger. Forget the quarter-pounders, and don't even think about the Big Macs.

Chicken and Fish SandwichesAvoid fish sandwiches; they sound leaner, but in the hands of fast-food restaurants, they get drenched in unhealthy fat. Chicken sandwiches are all over the map calorie-wise; the grilled ones are usually a good bet, but only if you skip the Mayo, dressing and cheese.

Tacos and BurritosThe smaller and simpler, the better; avoid the big ones ("Supremes"), and request no sour cream. Chicken or bean varieties are usually leaner than beef.

PizzaVegetable toppings are best, the more the better. Stick to one to two slices, depending on their size; and avoid the personal or six-inch pizzas, which are often higher in fat and calories than two regular slices. Sometimes you can order the pizza without cheese as well.

SidesFrench fries, onion rings, chicken nuggets. Save these for special occasions as they are high in fat and empty calories. The exception: sides of diner vegetables, often packaged together as an entrée. Anything steamed or boiled is fine. Baked beans are a good choice. But avoid the creamed corn and spinach, and only opt for mashed potatoes or mashed butternut squash if they're not laden with butter. A baked potato, dry rice or small side of pasta with marinara are good options, too. Quiz the server about their preparation method before ordering.

Pack your bags.Even though you'll end up eating most of your meals by the side of the road, you'll still need some snacks and beverages to keep you hydrated and to stave off excessive hunger and bingeing. You'll make better choices if you keep these in the car to tide you over:

A Water BottleIt should contain at least one cup of water per person at all times. Staying hydrated is especially critical for the driver, since dehydration causes confusion, dizziness and fatigue.

Fresh Fruit and VegetablesGiven the choices out there, this may be your only fresh produce for the day. Pre-slice them for convenience, so you're not biting into a peach with juice running down the steering wheel. Best bets: sliced apples (drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent browning), seedless grapes, pre-washed baby carrots or celery sticks.

Fat-free or Reduced-fat CrackersYou're better off with a whole-grain variety. Whole-grain foods supply you with a nice, steady source of energy as opposed to white, processed, flour-based foods, which send blood sugar (and energy) levels up and down quickly. Good choices: Hain fat-free whole-wheat crackers or Wasa multigrain crackers.

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